Improvement in automatic feed-cribs for stable-stalls



(6%, o 'ea ELISH B. RICH, OF SOUTH` BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

Letters .Patent N o. 89,078, dated April 20, 1869.

IMPROVEMENT IN AUTOMATIC EilEIlEiD-CRIIIB FOR STABLE-STALLS, '&c.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part of the same.

To all whom it may concern: v

Be it known that I, ELIsHA B. RICH, of South Boston, in the county of' Suffolk, and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Im.- provements in Feed-Cribs for Stable-Stalls; and l do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, Aand exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying plate of drawings, forming part of this specification.

The present invention consists in combining and connecting with a slide-lid, cover, or bottom, 85o., to a feed-crib for stable-stalla, an arrangement of mechanism similar to the well-known alarm-movement of alarm-clocks so-called, and in such manner that with said mechanism properly set to any desired time or hour in advance, the opening of the crib, and conse quently exposure of the feed therein to .the horse or other animal occupying the stall, by setting free said slide-covers, &c., will be assured at said time appointed or set.

The advantages of such an arrangement of mechanism in connection with the feed-crib of' a stall are obviously many, among which may be mentioned:

- First, it enables the regular and systematic feeding of a horse, Sto., to be secured; and

Second, that with the mechanism properly set atv -night, and the clib provided with the morning allowance of feed to the animal, such feed, at the proper time in the morning, will be exposed to the animal for being eaten, and without requiring the personal attendance 'of its keeper, or hostler, (the movement beingautomatio, certain, and reliable,) the advantages of which to him in the economy of time and care are manifest.

In the accompanying plate of drawings, my improvemeut in feed-cribsfor stable-stalls is illustrated- Figure l being a front viewand elevation of the automatic feed-device thereto.

Figure 2, a plan-or top View.

Figure 3, an end view, showing face or dial to the clock-movement.

Figure 4, a section in the plane of the line :c x, g. 2.

A, in the drawings, represents acase or box in which is arranged a mechanism similar to that employed in alarm-clocks, so-called.

B, the dia-l, or face to the clock;

C, the hour hand; and

D, the minute hand.

E, the dial, by which the alarm-movement oi' clock is set for action, at any given time or hours, this adjustment of the dial simply consisting in bringing the number on its face, as for instance, X, directly under the hour hand of the clock, at which hour it is desired that the alarm-movement should run.

F, the spindle of clock, by Awwhich the alarm-movement is wound. v

This clock-case H is, with its dial exposed, set in'one end of a frame-work, or box, G, which, in the present instance, is intended to illustrate the end of a stablestall, where the feed-crib is usually located,

H, section or compartment of frame-work, or boxv G, having a bottom-board, I, that at its rear edge J, is hinged or pivoted in the frame G, so as to be swung up and down therein.

K, pin fixed in one end of bottom-board I, and extending therefrom through a circular-shaped slot, L, into the compartment M, where clock-case is located, and to the rear of the clock.

N, cam or arm, lixed to the alarm-spindle, which to receive it, is extended through the rear of the clockcase, as shown. Y

The relative position of this cam and pin fixed in bottom-board I oi' box G, is such, that said board, through its pin, can be supported upon said cam and held in a closed position, within the said box.

Vith the alarm-spindle wound, the clock set for the alarm-spindle to operate at a given hour, and the bottom-board closed and supported upon the cam, it is plainly apparent that until such alarm-spindle acts, the bottom is closed, but the moment such spindle turns, it is set free, swinging down from its own weight, and consequently dumping below whatever substance may have been placed in it, or otherwise exposing it to the animal in the stall.

It is obvious that in lieu of hanging the bottomboard to swing, it may be arranged to slide oii when set free by the action of the alarm-spindle to the clockmovement, and in lieu of the bottom to a box being arranged for operation, as described, the side, top, or end of a box or other receptacle, passage, Sto., might be similarly arranged, the same action and effect being susceptible of accomplishment therewith; and also in lieu of an alarm-clock movement, other movements substantially similar in operation may be used, and springs or weights employed as the motive power to the mechanism, it not being intended to limit myself to any one particular or specific arrangement of operating-mechanism to set the food free in a stable-stall, to the horse or other animal at the appointed and desired time.

Having thus described my invention, I shall state my claims as follows:

l. The combination and arrangement, with a feedcrib for stalls, of an arrangement of mechanism sus` ceptible of automatic operation, substantially as described, for the purpose specilied.

2. I claim the extended shaft F with can1 N, in combinationnvith the devices ofthe first clause of claim, substantially as and for thepurpose specied.

' ELISHA B. RIQH.

Witnesses:

ALBERT W. BROWN, RoBr. LANGHAM. 

